India’s government is considering reinstating a 5–7 basis-point Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions for large merchants with annual turnover above Rs 1–1.5 crore, while small merchants and peer-to-peer transfers would remain free. The move is aimed at addressing payment service providers’ lack of a direct revenue stream under the current zero-MDR regime. A Zeta executive estimates the change could generate Rs 3,500–5,000 crore in annual industry revenue. ZETAUS, an India-focused payments infrastructure provider listed in the US, would directly benefit from the potential regulatory shift.

Rane Holdings said it will pay a dividend of ₹47 per equity share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. The record date is August 6, 2026, and the payment is scheduled for August 24, 2026. The company also said it intends to acquire the Friction Division of Hindustan Composites for ₹370 crores. Its 90th Annual General Meeting is set for August 13, 2026 to take up the financial statements, the dividend and director-related items.

Pakistan’s stock market fell 2,321 points, down 1.3%, on Friday as intensified US-Iran military action in the Middle East stoked fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose, amplifying concerns about Pakistan’s energy import costs and inflation pressures. The report noted declines across the PSX index, with several local energy and financial stocks under pressure.

TXNM Energy and Blackstone said they have extended the terms of their $11.5 billion merger agreement, with the companies now estimating the transaction will close in the first half of 2027. The extension follows a New Mexico Public Regulation Commission decision ordering the companies to unwind a $400 million TXNM stock sale to Blackstone affiliates, saying it lacked PRC approval and was illegal, and imposing $300,000 in fines. TXNM said it entered into a $400 million loan to reverse the stock sale and that the debt will sit at the parent company level. The transaction still requires final approvals from New Mexico’s PRC and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and TXNM shares fell on the day.

Asia holds nearly threefifths of the world’s known coal reserves. Rapid growth in AI infrastructure is driving a surge in electricity demand, while solar and wind still cannot reliably provide the around-the-clock baseload power data centres require. As a result, coal is emerging as the region’s main transitional fuel for AI. The shift underlines coal-fired power’s short-term role in the AI era, without pointing to specific companies, policy changes or immediate supply-and-demand data.

GameStop disclosed it now holds nearly 10% of eBay, after buying 3.5 million shares for roughly $381 million and settling 39 million shares via put/call pairs. CEO Ryan Cohen said “we’re coming for eBay one way or another” after eBay rejected his acquisition offer in May. GameStop shareholders last month approved an increase in the company’s authorized share count, giving it more flexibility to proceed. Cohen is also putting $500 million of his own money into the transaction.

Alberta’s 2026 budget projected a C$9.4 billion deficit, but the outlook has improved sharply as WTI oil prices have run well above the budget assumption of $60.50 US per barrel. With prices holding above $70 US for much of spring and summer and briefly topping $100 US, the province could end the year with a surplus of about C$5 billion. The shift is driven entirely by oil, with each $1 move in WTI affecting annual provincial revenue by roughly C$680 million. Officials and economists caution the surplus is not assured and depends on oil prices staying elevated through the rest of the fiscal year, with risks including easing U.S.–Iran tensions and trade disruptions.

The U.S. reinstated a naval blockade on Iran, pushing Brent crude above $85 a barrel. The geopolitical escalation strengthened expectations that inflation and interest rates will stay elevated, increasing worries about funding costs for highly valued tech and software companies. MongoDB, Flywire and Marqeta fell 3%, 3% and 2.3%, respectively, in afternoon trading.